Undocumented New York Immigrants to Benefit From NYC Mayor’s ID Scheme

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has launched an ID program that will give undocumented immigrants, as well as homeless people access to city services.

NEW YORK, January 14 (Sputnik) – New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has launched an ID program that will give the city's estimated half million undocumented migrants an opportunity to open bank accounts and access other services that may have been denied to them before.

"IDNYC is not only a card for all New Yorkers, it is the gateway to city services, the key to opening a bank account or getting a library card, and the ticket to many of our city's finest cultural institutions," de Blasio announced, saying that the new card represents "New Yorkers who value equality, opportunity and diversity".

De Blasio's new project will cover the city's five boroughs and includes the provision of discounts on medical prescriptions and tickets for Broadway shows, sports events, theme parks, gyms, museums, galleries and other cultural attractions.

The new ID will be available to undocumented immigrants, as well as homeless people.

In order to obtain the new card New Yorkers would have to prove their identity by presenting a valid photo ID and documents confirming their residency in New York City.

The launch of de Blasio's ID program comes in the wake of heightened public discontent amid increased cases of violence against African-Americans by New York law enforcement and subsequent killings of NYYPD police officers.